Architectural Innovation: Virginia AIA Chapter Digitizes Learning Units and Certificates for a Modern Learning Experience

We’re proud to announce that the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Virginia) is transforming how they issue continuing education and training units offered through their chapter by going digital with Merit, a free online credentialing platform. Virginia Architects can now manage their professional Architect license from the VA Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR) and their continuing education from AIA Virginia, all on the same digital platform.

About AIA 

AIA Virginia is Virginia’s largest architectural association, representing nearly 2,500 architects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. AIA Virginia represents the professional interests of architects and allied professionals. It now joins the forefront of the digital transformation for Virginia professionals, which was kicked off by DPOR earlier this year.

“We believe that Merit can be advantageous for our members in how they maintain a record of their time investment in continuing education,” says EVP Corey Clayborne. “Often, our members are licensed to practice architecture in multiple states, and this technology will be an asset in managing the requirements of those various jurisdictions.”

Merit was at Architecture Exchange East (ArchEx) 2019 in Richmond, Virginia, to track and verify attendance at over 60 courses by replacing those pesky sign-in sheets with a simple digital scan-in system. Once each participant completed the training, the course proctor easily sent them a Merit containing the total Learning Units earned in that session. It came with a printable certificate automatically attached. This gave the architects a digital, verifiable training record and saved AIA Virginia Staff 40–60 hours annually by eliminating manual data entry after the event.

“By tracking attendance at continuing education programming and sending digital certificates through Merit, we’re hoping to make it easier for our members to meet reporting requirements for licensure renewal,” says Rhea George, AIA Virginia Managing Director.

Merit Powering the State of Virginia

This active step towards driving digital transformation in the Commonwealth of Virginia is in parallel with the Virginia Department of Occupational and Professional Regulation's plans to launch digital licenses in early September 2019. As legislated in the 2019 Session of the General Assembly,* DPOR has partnered with Merit to drive innovation and efficiency for hundreds of thousands of licensed occupational professionals across the state.

“Our partnership between the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and Merit will provide a consistent, efficient platform for licensed professionals across the Commonwealth to use their hard-earned credentials,” says Mary Broz-Vaughan, Director of Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. “In doing so, we’re empowering Virginia’s strong and competent workforce. Thanks to this collaboration, clients and employers can have full confidence in the DPOR-regulated workers they interact with.”

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